DEVICE FOR PREVENTING BRUXISM

Abstract: The Anti Bruxism Device is a device that stops or at least diminishes bruxism. Bruxism is a non-physiological parafunction that could damage teeth and molars, and affects the neuro-muscular system in a negative way. It could cause for example headaches, migraine like complaints, etc. To stop bruxism, our device uses a biofeedback system which detects (pathological) bruxism and stops it.

Description: DEVICE FOR PREVENTING BRUXISM The invention concerns an anti Bruxism device. Bruxism is a conscious or subconscious parafunction that takes place during the day and/or at night,and consists of a static and/or dynamic contact between the chewinglevels of the mandi- bular and upper jaw. Herewith appears an avowed neuro-muscular activity. These contacts are not physiological. Bruxism, also known as teeth-grinding or teeth-jamming, has two consequences concerning ones health. First it damages the teeth and molars, and secondly it influ¬ ences the neuro-muscular system negatively. (muscle spasms, arthrosis, etc. ) The purpose of the invention is to develop a device that stops bruxism and raises the hurtful accesories. The device consists of an already used splint (synthetic resin) as carrier for a special biofeedback system. A splint is a synthetic resin modelled plate most frequently worn on the teeth of the upper jaw. The biofeedback system detects bruxism, transponds a signal which diminishes, and finally stops bruxism.This device can also be used for preventive means; that is to say with pa¬ tients grinding their teeth who don't yet suffer the conse¬ quences. A prototype example of the anti bruxism device features a biofeedback system with at least one pressure sensor, connec¬ ted to a transponding element (e.g. a chip),which is connected to a pulse generator. This generator transmits a, preferably, electrical impulse to a conducting splint anchor. In this example the splint is worn on the palate of the mouth, in which the pressure sensors (in the synthetic resin )are extended over the upper jaw teeth. When bruxism occurs, the pressure sensor measures the pressure force between teeth and/or molars and signals the transponding unit,in case the pressure force reaches a previous adjusted value or time, and another signal is given to the pulse gene¬ rator in a way an (e.g. )electrical impulse irritates the molar region via the anchor. By this, the patient receives a stimulation through which the bruxism stops. (reflex activity) If worn,during the sleep, this sleep may not be interrupted. The diagram shows a simple drawn example of a Anti Bruxism Device. -1-Anti Bruxism Device. -2-Splint. The splint is worn against the palatu-m, and con¬ tains the biofeedback system. The splint is a copy of the palatum and upper jaw teeth.In this example the splint is attached to two conducting anchors. -3-,-3'-The anchors.The anchors have a twofold purpose, namely to fix the splint, and to conduct the electrical impulses. -5-,-5'-Pressure sensors. -7-Pressure registration element.This is attached to pressure sensors and signals, as written above, the pulse generator. -9-Pulse generator. This generator conducts the (electrical) impulse to the anchors.The developped irritation stops bruxism without disturbing normal biological functions as for example sleep and intra oral pH. The pulses, received by the anchors are preferably electric.As an alternative, thermical or vibrating pulses could be used. The way in which the mechanical pressure will be conducted in an electrical impulse can be various, dependent on the techni¬ cal possibilities, for example: piezo material, electrodes in plastic, chip, etc. The anchors,-3-,-3'-,are made from current used orthodontical conducting metal. The connections between the seperate elements of the biofeed¬ back system should be prepared into the synthetic resin, so the splint is an insulator. a battery provides the necessary voltage for pressure measu¬ ring, and to conduct the impulses. A Wheatstone bridge and condensator could be integrated in the system. All material used should be biocomatible ! The anti bruxism device will preferably be worn during nighttime.The user will be reacting unconsciously, (the sleep should not be disturbed ) and stops bruxating (reflex activi¬ ty). It's obvious that the device can be manufactured in several ways depending on the details, without deviating from the essence of the invention !

Claims: Conclusions: ■1 Anti Bruxism Device, characterizing a splint containing a biofeedback system. -2 Ad 1, in which the biofeedback system is integrated with at least one pressure sensor engaged to a pressure registration element, which can signal a pulse generator to conduct pulses to the splint anchors. ■ 3 Ad 2, characterizing the biofeedback system with a battery to generate the voltage asked for, and contingent Wheatstone bridge. -4 Ad 3, Essential is the biofeedback principal which stops bruxism activity and upkeeps normal physiology.

Inventors: BURGER MICHAEL ALBERTUS, MARTENS RIGOBERTUS WILHELMUS, BURGER, MICHAEL, ALBERTUS, MARTENS, RIGOBERTUS, WILHELMUS
Applicants: BURGER MICHAEL ALBERTUS, MARTENS RIGOBERTUS WILHELMUS, BURGER, MICHAEL, ALBERTUS, MARTENS, RIGOBERTUS, WILHELMUS
Application year: 1994
Main classification: A61F5
IPC codes: A61F5